Referee Removed After VAR Blunder Returns to Officiate Liverpool Match
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body overseeing referees in the Premier League, has made a striking decision to reintegrate referee Darren England, nearly a year after a high-profile error in a match involving Liverpool. England, who was removed from officiating Liverpool’s games following a significant mistake in a controversial fixture against Tottenham Hotspur last season, will return as a match official in a Liverpool game for the first time since his removal.
The incident, which took place in October last year during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham, revolved around a disallowed goal by Luis Díaz. Replays clearly showed that Díaz was onside, yet his goal was ruled out for offside. Darren England, who served as the video assistant referee (VAR) that day, failed to intervene and correct the decision. The disallowed goal and the failure to use VAR appropriately sparked a wave of outrage.
A day after the match, PGMOL issued an official apology, admitting it was a “clear and obvious factual error” and confirming that Díaz’s goal should have stood. The organization described the incident as a significant human error and admitted the lapse in standards.
Liverpool responded with strong criticism, labelling PGMOL’s explanation as “unacceptable.” In an official statement, the club expressed deep frustration over the error and the lack of immediate accountability. Subsequently, England was removed from officiating duties for Liverpool’s matches for the remainder of the 2023/24 season. The Telegraph also reported that his suspension from officiating Liverpool would have financial implications for him, as refereeing fewer matches impacts earnings.
However, nearly 12 months later, PGMOL has decided to reintegrate the 38-year-old official. England will be involved in Liverpool’s upcoming match against Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday, serving as the fourth official at Molineux Stadium. The referee for the game will be Anthony Taylor, with Adam Nunn and Gary Beswick assisting him. Michael Salisbury and Dan Robathan will oversee VAR operations.
The return of Darren England to a Liverpool match raises questions about PGMOL’s approach to accountability and officiating standards. The organization had previously acknowledged that the standards in the Tottenham-Liverpool game “fell short of expectations” and promised improvements in the use of VAR technology.
In a statement, PGMOL said, “We remain committed to enhancing VAR performance through an ongoing training programme. This programme focuses on refining the processes and best practices for all VARs, AVARs, and Replay Operators in their specific roles.” Additionally, the governing body revealed that they are developing a dedicated pool of VAR specialists, emphasizing their efforts to ensure that similar mistakes do not occur in the future.
Despite this, the decision to reintroduce England to a Liverpool fixture is sure to attract attention and scrutiny, especially given the significance of the error and its fallout. Fans and pundits alike will be closely watching the match against Wolverhampton Wanderers to see how England’s return to officiating Liverpool unfolds, even in the role of a fourth official.
Liverpool, who had submitted a formal request last year to have the VAR audio from the Tottenham game released, will likely hope that the officiating in this weekend’s game is far less controversial. The audio was eventually made public, serving as a rare glimpse into the decision-making process behind one of the Premier League’s most contentious moments of the season.
As England steps back into the spotlight, both Liverpool and Premier League fans will be eager to see if PGMOL’s efforts to improve officiating standards have taken root—and if Darren England’s return will prove smooth or stir up further debate.
Referee Removed After VAR Blunder Returns to Officiate Liverpool Match
